I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3
What was it like for those early witnesses to the Resurrection? I wonder if this Psalm, or something like it was going through their minds. When Mary Magdalene left early in the morning on the first day of the week, she must have been in such a deep state of grief. Losing someone so close is brutal, and so many dreams, so many hopes, died with Jesus. The religious leaders betrayed him, and the disciples deserted him and she was going to at least treat the body with the respect it deserved.
You know the story: she arrived, the stone was moved and the tomb was empty and she ran to tell Peter and John. They made a point of racing back to the tomb and went in, seeing it was empty the linens that had shrouded Jesus body neatly folded, the headpiece in a separate place. The text says they believed, but they left, and left Mary alone.
Mary, heartbroken perhaps more than ever, encountered the risen Lord and did not recognize him. Then he spoke her name…
I imagine it was like the Psalm, being pulled up from the pit of destruction, out of a miry bog, and having your feet set upon a rock, and making your steps secure. Mary became the first witness to the risen Lord.
Frank
